shadow

Daily Dose

Jesus Chose

Posted on: by: Comments: Leave a comment

“The Lord now chose seventy-two other disciples and sent them ahead in pairs to all the towns and places he planned to visit.”

Luke 10:1  (NLT)

Acandidate-01, Jesus Choses disciples we have been chosen to be the hands and feet of Christ. From this passage in Luke, we see Jesus choosing seventy-two disciples to send ahead. These are regular people, whose names are not even mentioned. However, God chose to use them in a mighty way for His glory.

God has called each of us, regular followers, to be salt and light in a dark and dying world. Today, pray that we will live in a way that is worthy of the calling we have been given, and that everything we say and do will bring Him glory and honor.

Prayerfully,

Madison

 

photo credit: Office vector designed by Freepik

A New You

Posted on: by: Comments: Leave a comment

“And have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him.”

Col. 3:10, NASB

medium_11345289194-2, A New YouNew shoes. New clothes. A new hairstyle. What is it about something brand-new that makes us smile? I don’t know anyone who dislikes receiving an unused item–especially among my female friends :).

Material novelties aside, how do you feel about becoming a new you? I mean on the inside … who you are … your character? If you’ve placed your faith in Christ, God is diligently renewing you. It doesn’t matter if you’re tall or short, blonde or brunette, soft-spoken or outspoken. God meticulously is working on you day-by-day and minute-by-minute. 

This truth encourages me immensely because let’s be real: sometimes life’s responsibilities become hum-drum. Doing dishes, washing laundry, cooking, and cleaning occasionally drive me crazy–I grow weary now and then of their constancy. Even more, repeatedly dealing with the same old sins can be discouraging. Why do I fail so often?

Friends, God isn’t taking who we were and fixing it up. At the moment of salvation, He ends our state of corruption and initiates a new beginning. This is HIS work, which I find extremely comforting.

“For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” Phil. 1:6

Though I struggle with sins like selfishness and speaking thoughtlessly, God is making me new. Despite my frequent missteps, God is making me new. And He won’t stop until Jesus comes back.

What about you? What responsibilities or failures weigh you down? Pause. Look up. Be encouraged. Almighty God holds you in His hands and carefully shapes you through the very situations that just crossed your mind. In every aspect of life, God renews us with a true knowledge–an experiential knowledge–of Christ, while forming Christ in us at the same time.

Rejoice! God is making you new.

Much love to each of you in Christ,

Emily

 

photo credit: vanessafalle via photopin cc

Jesus Called

Posted on: by: Comments: Leave a comment

“As the time drew near for him to ascend to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. He sent messengers ahead to a Samaritan village to prepare for his arrival. But the people of the village did not welcome Jesus because he was on his way to Jerusalem. When James and John saw this, they said to Jesus, “Lord, should we call down fire from heaven to burn them up?” But Jesus turned and rebuked them. So they went on to another village. As they were walking along, someone said to Jesus, “I will follow you wherever you go.” But Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place even to lay his head.” He said to another person, “Come, follow me.” The man agreed, but he said, “Lord, first let me return home and bury my father.” But Jesus told him, “Let the spiritually dead bury their own dead! Your duty is to go and preach about the Kingdom of God.” Another said, “Yes, Lord, I will follow you, but first let me say good-bye to my family.” But Jesus told him, “Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God (NLT).”
Luke 9:51-62 

Jesus calledAs His disciples, we are all called to “go and preach the kingdom of God,” but often we seek to do so on our own terms. We may verbalize our willingness, but the motives in our hearts are not pure. We are to deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow Christ – no terms or conditions attached.

Today, pray that God will search our hearts and align them with His own. As we seek to be disciples on mission for Christ, ask God to strip our hearts of selfish desires and develop within us a willing attitude to serve those God sends along our path. Finally, pray that we will adopt an attitude of flexibility, allowing the Holy Spirit to have complete control.

 

Prayerfully,

Madison